Enclosure structure for modular system

ABSTRACT

Unitary construction easy-access enclosure for handling, storing, transporting, and distributing articles throughout a modular system with self-seating and stabilizing interconnecting means for suspending the enclosure on an upright support, means for supporting the enclosure horizontally and means for interlocked stable stacking of such enclosures. Means for dividing the enclosure internally and retaining carried articles, and dust cover means, are removably positioned by structural elements of the unitary-construction enclosures.

United States Patent [1 1 Brendgord Jan. 14, 1975 ENCLOSURE STRUCTUREFOR MODULAR SYSTEM [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: American Sterilizer Company, Erie,

22 Filed: Aug. 27, 19 73 21 Appl. No: 391,535

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No 278,362, Aug. 7,1972, Pat No.

Thomas Brendgord, Erie, Pa.

[52] US. Cl 312/351, 211/88, 211/126, 220/97 F, 312/108 [51] Int.Cl..... B65d 21/04, A47b 87/00, A47f 5/08 [58] Field of Search 211/87,86, 126; 312/108, 312/111, 351; 220/97 D, 97 F, 42 A, 44 M [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,212,646 10/1965 Probst 211/873,347,394 10/1967 Gould 211/126 3,478,892 11/1969 Lockwood 211/1263,534,866 10/1970 Asenbauer 211/126 3,563,394 2/1971 Joyce 211/126Primary ExaminerCasmir A. Nunberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Shanley,ONeil and Baker [57] ABSTRACT Unitary construction easy-access enclosurefor handling, storing, transporting, and distributing articlesthroughout a modular system with self-seating and stabilizinginterconnecting means for suspending the enclosure on an uprightsupport, means for supporting the enclosure horizontally and means forinterlocked stable stacking of such enclosures. Means for dividing theenclosure internally and retaining carried articles, and dust covermeans, are removably positioned by structural elements of theunitary-construction enclosures.

8 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PATENTEU JAN 1 41ers sum 1 or s FIG.|

PATENTEU I 41975 3860309 sum 2 OF 5 PATENTED JAN 1 41975 SHEET 3 UF 5PATENTED 1 41975 3, 860,309

SHEET u 0F 5 FIG."

FIGJO ENCLOSURE STRUCTURE FOR MODULAR SYSTEM This application is adivisional application of copending application Ser. No. 278,362, now USPat. No. 3,791,528 entitled Enclosure Structure for Modular System,filed Aug. 7, 1972.

This invention relates to an enclosure for handling, storing,transporting, and distributing articles throughout a modular system. Aspecific aspect of the invention relates to a container module ofunitary construction with interconnecting means for cantileversuspension of the module. An easy-access container module is providedwith internal support for articles being handled and enclosure covermeans to maintain such articles dust-free.

In commercial establishments requiring handling of numerous small items,for example in hospitals, a need has existed for more efficient and moreeconomic handling of supplies. A modular system for such need isdescribed in applicants copending application entitled Modular Storage,Transfer Handling, and Retrieval System, Ser. No. 278,362 now US. Pat.No. 3,791,528 filed Aug. 7, 1972. Important to a modular system asconceived by applicant is a container module providing easy access, easeof stable mounting in vertical orientation, means for level dispositionon horizontal surfaces, stable stacking capabilities, light-weight, highcarrying capacity with partitioning means for separation and holding ofarticles in fixed and distinct relationship, ease of washing andcleaning, easily operable cover means for protecting container contents,and economy in manufacture and use.

As a part of the inventive concept, a container module for use in amodular system should be capable of being readily suspended onvertically oriented support means by movement of the container modulewith article carrying surfaces horizontally oriented without need fortilting in any direction. Interconnecting means for coacting with thevertical support means should be located on the container module so asnot to interfere with handling of such articles and to unobtrusivelyoccupy a minimum amount of space; in other words, to maximize oncarrying capacity and present no protrusions likely to interfere withhandling of the container module or to break easily. Moreover, theinterconnecting means should provide self-seating characteristicswithout need for manipulation of fastening or securing means to obtainstable mounting. The module should also provide for ease of applicationof cover means capable of maintaining enclosed articles in dust-freecondition, means for stably positioning internal partition means, andstacking capabilities to enable container modules to be stably stackedindependent of support structure while occupying minimum space.

The container module should be capable of use with, on, or inassociation with any structure wall, floor, or ceiling, i.e., horizontalor vertical surface area, or with apparatus such as carts, retrievalracks, elevators, and the like. In brief, a standardized articlecarrying module, universally usable throughout the modular systemwithout need for selection as to size, shape, or support.

The accompanying drawings present features for describing morespecifically the inventive aspects and advantages of the invention. Inthese drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view ofa container module mounted onvertically oriented support means in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the novel container module ofFIG. 1 and cover means for the container module in side-by-siderelationship;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the structure of FIG. 2 with the covermeans in dust sealing position on the container module;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the container module of FIG. 1 withfront retaining bar means;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container module of FIG. 1 withshelf and partition means;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container module of FIG. 1 with wirebasket means;

FIG. 7 is a perspective rear view of the container module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a view in section taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view in side elevation corresponding to FIG. 8and showing the manner in which the container modules of this inventioncan be stacked one on the other;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the arrangement of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a front view in elevation of the container module of FIG. 1with portions broken away to show additional details;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view in section taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a front retainer bar in accordance withthe invention;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a shelf means in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of the shelf means of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a view in section taken along line l7l7 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a side view of a partition means removably mountable on theshelf of FIG. 15 in accordance with the invention, and

FIG. 19 is an end view of the partition of FIG. 18.

Container module 30 of FIG. 1 is mounted on support means 31. Suchsupport means is vertically oriented and includes elongated horizontallyoriented slot means, such as 33, spaced longitudinally along the supportmeans as described more particularly in applicants copending applicationSer. No. 278,360, filed Aug. 7, 1972 entitled Modular Storage, TransferHandling and Retrieval System." Support means 31 includes lateral sideedge means 33, 34, e.g., lateral sidewalls.

Various features of and accessories for the container module of theinvention are shown in general arrangement perspectives in FIGS. 2through 7. As shown in FIG. 2, container 30 is generally rectilinear inconfiguration, defining a substantially right-angled hexahedronenclosure, with full-open access upper portion 37 and full-open frontportion 38. Also shown in FIG. 2 is a transparent one-piece cover 39which seats on container 30 in the manner shown in FIG. 3 and seals thecontainer against entry of dust as described in more detail inapplicants copending application Ser. No. 278,361, filed Aug. 7, 1972entitled Self-Seating Container Module Cover." In FIG. 4 a verticallyoriented retainer bar means 41 is positioned at the front of thecontainer module to prevent articles on the bottom of the enclosure fromrolling or sliding out. In FIG. 5 a horizontal shelf means 44, which canbe provided with one or more vertical partition means, such as 45 ispositioned within the container module. In place of the removablehorizontal shelf means 44, the module can be provided with an openframework means, such as bottle rack 46, as shown in FIG. 6. Either theshelf means or open framework means can be used with a front retainermeans.

FIG. 7 shows novel interface structure for stable cantilever suspensionof the container on an upright support and one of the handgrip openingscentrally located along the sides of the container module so that themodule can be easily grasped and lifted from a planar horizontalsurface.

THE CONTAINER MODULE As shown in FIG. 2, container module 30 has bottomwall means 49, upright side wall means 50 and 51, and rear wall means 52defining in combination an enclosure with open-access from above andfront. At the front edge of bottom wall means 49, flange means 53depends downwardly defining a vertically oriented planar surfaceextending between lateral sides of the module. Side wall means 50, 51include inwardly directed flanges 54 and 55, respectively. Each of theseflanges has a substantially planar vertically oriented surface; theseflange surfaces are coplanar and define the front face of the containermodule. Such front face lies in a substantially vertical plane whencontainer module 30 is mounted on a support (FIG. 1) as well as when thecontainer module is placed on a horizontal surface (FIG.

A narrow surface is defined by the upper top edges of side wall means50, 51 and rear wall means 52. This surface is generally horizontal whenthe container module is in its normal upright position. These edgesurfaces are coplanar around the top of the side and rear walls. Anexterior surface along each top edge of the walls 50, 51, 52 ischamfered; e.g., contiguous to top edge 57 of side wall means 50chamfered surface 58 slopes outwardly from the narrow width top edgesurface 57 to the full thickness of the side wall.

Four support posts 60, 61, 62, 63, seen in plan view in FIG. 9 and invarious side views in FIGS. 8, 10, and 12, are distributed at respectiveinterior corners of container module 30. These are provided for supportof shelf means 44 or open framework means 46. Support post 61 at thefront of the enclosure extends vertically on upright wall means 51 incontiguous relationship with upright flange 55. Preferably, spacingbetween support posts 61 and upright flange 55 is provided forsupporting retainer bar means 41. Post 60 on the opposite side wallmeans can be similarly spaced from flange 54 on side wall means 50.Support posts 62 and 63 are located respectively at the rear cornerjunctions on the interior of the enclosure.

In accordance with the invention each of the support posts have meansintegrally formed on their upper ends for retaining, as well assupporting, shelf means 44, open framework means 46, or other similarstructure. Projection 64 on post 60 and projection 66 on post 61 extendupwardly to define slot means 65 and 67, respectively, which extend in adirection parallel to the side walls. The rear corner posts 62 and 63have retaining projections 68 and 69, respectively, which extend inangled relationship to the side walls to define curvilinear slot means70 and 71 at these rear corner support stations.

The bottom wall means 49 of container module 30 includes contact surfacemeans to position the con tainer module in accordance with the inventionwhen disposed on a horizontal surface. As shown in FIGS. 10 through 12,in the unitary construction provided, this means takes the form of apair of support and reinforcing ribs 73, 74 which support the containermodule on horizontal surface 75. Each rib is elongated and originates ata location adjacent to front flange 56 and terminates at a locationcontiguous to rear wall 52. Ribs 73, 74 are preferably spaced from thefront-to-rear (longitudinal) centerline of the container module toprovide stability but disposed inwardly of the respective side walls 50and 51. In addition to providing a stable support surface, these ribsprovide structural stength for the bottom wall means while reducing thematerial and weight requirements of such means.

Additionally, a bottom skirt means is provided for the container module.-As best seen in FIG. 7 the skirt means includes a front portion and arear portion 81 which extends around the curvilinear junction of theside and rear wall means and terminates contiguous to a rearwardlyprojecting stabilizing means to be described in detail later. The bottomskirt is interrupted along each side wall by a recess handgrip openingsuch as 47.

An important aspect of the present invention for operating with amodular system is the ability to readily suspend a container module inupright position on a container support. The interconnecting meansprovided should not interfere with the full-open access features of theinvention nor with means for lifting or handling the container module.Further advantages provided by the present invention are self-seatingcharacteristics which enable the container module to be movedhorizontally while in an upright position, that is without tilting,toward a support means and to be stably suspended by merely placing thecontainer module on the support means without manipulation of anyfastening or securing means. The container module should be readilyremovable from the upright support in a similar manner, that is withouttilting to disengage or move away from the support rail means.

Details of interconnecting means 82 formed integrally with the containermodule are shown in the rear view of FIG. 7. The interconnecting means82 includes a plurality of predeterminedly spaced elements which act tosupport the container module and stabilize the module againstinadvertent dislodgement or lateral tilting when in suspended position.

The interconnecting means 82 includes elongated hanger means 84extending horizontally across back wall means 52 at a location, selectedfor better stability to be above the lateral centerline, and preferably,contiguous to the chamfered edge of rear wall means 52. The elongatedhanger means includes flange means 85 spaced from the rear wall means 52by load support surface 86.

Stabilizing elements 88, 89 are in horizontally spaced locationsselected to be below the lateral centerline for better stability, andpreferably contiguous to the lower extremity of rear wall means 52.

Spacing between stabilizing elements 88, 89 is a distance greater thanthe length of the elongated hanger means 84 measured between internalconfronting surfaces 90 and 91 which diverge in projecting outwardlyfrom the rear container wall means 52. Stabilizing elements 88 and 89project in the same direction as the elongated hanger means 84 from therear wall means 52. This horizontal spacing between the inward ends ofthe stabilizing elements, at a location contiguous to rear wall means52, is substantially equal to the distance between the lateral edges 32and 34 of upright support means 31 shown in FIG. 1.

These stabilizing elements prevent lateral tilting of the containermodule. Further lateral stability is added by the elongated hanger means84 in that side walls 92 and 93 of such hanger means, at a locationcontiguous to the rear wall means 52, are spaced substantially the sameas side edges of the horizontally extended support slot means. Sides ofthe elongated hanger means 92, 93 taper toward each other in projectingoutwardly from the rear wall means 52 to provide ease of insertion and,along with the stabilizing elements confronting surfaces 90, 91 helpprovide self-seating characteristics.

Rear wall means 52 includes reinforcing and surface contact meansintermediate the hanger means 84 and stabilizing elements 88 and 89.These take the form of upright ribs 94 and 95 and lateral rib 96. Theseelements present coplanar surfaces for contacting the vertical uprightsupport means so as to properly position the container module 31 insuspended position. As best seen in FIG. 8, the contact surface ofreinforcing leg 95 contacts the upright support 31 so that the containermodule 30 is suspended in substantially upright position. The preferableconstruction of the container module when so positioned is to have theinterior surface of bottom wall means 49 inclined slightly downwardly inapproaching the rear wall means 52. Preferably the angle of inclinationis about 2% degrees and extends from a location contiguous to theforward side of the container module to the rear wall.

The reinforcing leg means 73, 74 forming part of the bottom wall meansare disposed to have their contact surfaces act in a similar manner whenthe container means is set on a horizontal surface, that is the interiorsurface of the bottom wall is inclined downwardly in approaching therear of the container module.

Another important contribution of the invention results from the stablestacking features available with container modules as described. Theseinclude lateral and longitudinal stability stacking means. Thestabilizing elements 88 and 89 of the unitary construction shown innFIG. 7 provide an interlocking feature for stability in the directionleading from front to back of the container module. For this purpose aninverted U- shaped recess, such as 97 on stabilizing element 88, isprovided at the base of each stabilizing element. The recess formed ineach base of the stabilizing elements has an outwardly sloping rearsurface 98 and a load bearing surface 99. The outwardly sloping surface98 coacts with the chamfered surface on the top periphery of eachcontainer module and provides self-seating characteristics.

For lateral stability, stacking grooves are provided at the forwardupper edges of the container module. Stacking grooves 103 and 105 arebest seen in FIG. 11. Projections 107 and 108 at the lower forward edgeof a standard container module interfit with slots 103 and 105,respectively. These slots and projections are formed to have conformingconfigurations and self seating characteristics.

Container module 30 is of unitary construction and is modled or castfrom a plastic material such as structural foam. High densitypolyethylene, high-impact polystyrene, and polypropylene are suitableexamples. A specific example is the NORYL type of structural foamavailable from General Electric Co., Plastics Department, Selkirk, N.Y.NORYL FN 215 is preferred for its fire safety characteristics. Theplastic material is selected to have a high softening temperature so itcan be cleaned and/or at least toxic gas sterilized withoutdeteriorating. Corner junctions of the enclosure are rounded to avoidsharp inside and outside corners for ease of cleaning.

The rear wall means 52 of the container module 30 has excellent beamstrength as a result of vertical ribs 94, which project from rear wallmeans 52. Such rib means provide the required strength while saving material and weight by permitting reduced wall thickness intermediate suchribs. The bottom wall means 49 is strengthened and made more rigid as aresult of the beam strength obtained from support and reinforcing ribs73, 74.

THE COVER Cover means 39, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is formed from a singlesheet of transparent vinyl or polystyrene, of about 25 mil thickness toprovide required flexibility by known vacuum forming techniques. Covermeans 39 includes a generally rectangular upper portion 110 and agenerally rectangular front portion 111. Upper portion 110 includes aflat panel 112 bordered by a rib wall 113 in angled relation to panel112. Located peripherally to rib wall 113 is narrow-width horizontallydisposed surface 114 extending around the full periphery of upper coverportion 110. Depending from the peripheral horizontal surface 114, alongside wall and rear wall portions, is downwardly inclined skirt means115. This skirt means extends around side wall and rear edges of uppercover portion 110. A beading 116 can be added to the bottom edge ofskirt to add strength to the skirt means.

Front cover portion 111 is joined to upper cover portion 110 alongunitary hinge juncture 117. The front cover portion 111 includesperipheral flange 118 which extends around recessed portion 119. Therecess portion 119 includes panel wall 120 joined to flange 118 by aninwardly projecting rib wall 121.

Centrally located along the lower flange portion 122 of the front covermeans 111 is lift tab means 123 including an elongated rectilinearrecess 124. As shown in FIG. 13, the lower extremity of flange 56 ofcontainer module 30 is provided with an inverted L-shaped notch 125. Onthe cover means 39 the upper wall 126 of tab recess 124 has a projectingbead 127 at its inner end which snap locks into the inverted L-shapedrecess 125.

The coaction of cover means 39 and container module 30 in closing andsealing the access openings are described in detail in applicantscopending application entitled Self-Seating Container Module Cover. However briefly, a double seal arrangement is provided around allperipheries with horizontally disposed peripheral border 114 contactingthe upper horizontal surface 57 of the container module and the skirtmeans 115 contacting the chamfered surface 58 extending around the upperperiphery of the container module. On the front cover portion 111 ofcover means 39 the planar border around side and bottom edges contactsthe flanges 53, 54 and 55 around the front end of the container module.Rib wall 121 contacts an inwardly inclined edge along the side walls 54and 55 and across the front of the bottom wall means 49.

To close container module 30 with cover means 39 it is merely necessaryto seat the upper cover portion 110 with self-seating characteristicsbeing provided by the skirt means 115. When the front cover portion 111is lowered and snapped into position a double seal is provided aroundall peripheries of the fully open accesses to the enclosure. The ribwalls 113 and 121 add rigidity to the cover means but other reinforcinglines can be used across the planar panel means without departing fromthe teachings of the invention.

THE RETAINING BAR The removable retaining means 41 of FIG. 4 is shown ingreater detail in FIG. 14. Retaining means 41 in effect acts as a frontpartition and can be molded or cast in plastic. Preferably, retainermeans 41 is fabricated from a single piece of sheet metal bent toprovide a top wall 130 and side walls 131 and 132. Bottom edges of sidewalls 131, 132 are spaced above the lower extremity of the retainermeans 41. As shown, bottom edge 133 of side wall 131 is inclineddownwardly in approaching front wall 134 and facilitates insertion ofthe retainer means.

Top wall 130 projects from front wall 134 the same distance as sidewalls 131 and 132; these walls project a distance slightly less than thedistance between the rear surfaces of flanges 54 and 55 (FIG. 8) and afront surface of front posts 60 and 61. This permits retaining means 41to slide between flanges 54, 55 and posts 60 and 61 into the positionshown at FIG. 8 and to be held firmly in upright position. FIGS. 4 and 8also show that the retaining bar 41 has a vertical height less than theheight of the shelf support posts. Shelf or basket means can bepositioned above the retainer means 41.

SHELF AND PARTITION ARRANGEMENT The removable shelf means 44 of FIG. 5,is shown in greater detail in FIGS. through 17. Shelf means 44 is moldedor cast from suitable plastic material or fabricated from a single sheetof sheet metal to provide a top wall 140, a front wall 141, side walls142 and 143, a rear wall 144, and rear corner tabs 145 and 146. Thesewalls and tabs each project perpendicularly from the edges of top wall140. Tabs 145 and 146 are angled, at approximately 45, between rear wall144 and side walls 142, 143, respectively. Tabs 145 and 146 interlockwith the slots 70, 71 (FIG. 9) formed by projections 68, 69, on the rearcorner support posts 62, 63. Side walls 142, 143 of the shelf means 44interlock with slots 65, 67 formed by projections 64, 66 on the frontcover support posts 60, 61. The height of each wall and tab of the shelfmeans 46 is substantially the same as the height of the corner postprojections so that the shelf will be firmly supported by the slots andthe projections at each of the support posts 60-63. The shelf means 44,when in place, is locked against both longitudinal (rear to front)movement and lateral movement.

As shown in FIG. 17, front wall 141 is slightly longer vertically thanthe side walls and provides additional longitudinal stability throughcontact with flanges 54, 55 of the container module side wall means. Allwalls depend without forming enclosures to facilitate cleaning. Sixpairs of spaced openings 150 through (FIG. 15) provide a plurality ofpartitioning arrangements, e.g., in halves or thirds. Each opening iselongated in a direction parallel to side walls 142, 143 and extendscompletely through the shelf means. The openings of the respective pairs150, 151, 152 are offset toward rear wall 144 and the openings 153, 154,155 are offset toward front wall 141. The respective openings of eachpair are aligned with each other in a fore and aft direction on theshelf.

The blank from which partition means 45 is formed is shown in FIG. 18.Blank 158 is generally rectangular and has a pair of locking tabs 159and 160 which project downwardly from a bottom edge 161 of thepartition. Locking tabs 159 and 160 have the same height as stabilizinglegs 162 and 163. Stabilizing legs 162 and 163 each have theirrespective end edges 164 and 165 in spaced relation to the tabs.Stabilizing legs 162 and 163 are separated by a rectangular slot 166.Stabilizing leg 162 is bent laterally along bend line 167 whilestabilizing leg 163 is bent laterally in an opposite direction alongbend line 167. This provides the partition structure shown in FIGS. 5and 19 where leg 162 extends to the left of body 168 and perpendicularto the plane of the body and leg 163 extends to the right of body 168.

The length of each of the latch tabs 159 and 160 where unitary with themain body portion of blank 168 is slightly less than the length of eachshelf opening. The distance between a rear edge 170 of tab 159 to thetip 171 of tab 160 is slightly greater than the length of the shelfopenings 156 so tabs 159 and 160 enter aligned shelf openings in angledrelationship to the horizontal to mount the partition on the shelf. Thepartition is preferably mounted on the shelf with tabs 159 and 160facing toward rear wall 144 of the shelf; the partition is dimensionedso that after the tabs are inserted through a selected pair of alignedopenings, the partition is then moved in a direction toward rear wall144 of the shelf. Rear edge 172 of the partition is flush with rear wall144 of the shelf and contiguous to rear wall means 52 of the containermeans which prevents accidental dislodgement of the partition. Thedistance between a top edge 174 and blank edge 161 is approximately thesame as the thickness of the sheet metal of shelf means 44 so that thepartition is rigidly held on the shelf means against up and downmovement. In addition, legs 162 and 163 extending in opposite directionsto engage the upper surface of top wall 140 of the shelf means preventstilting and adds vertical and horizontal stability.

The principle of the partition support can be used on an aperturedpartition support at the rear wall. Such partition support includes aflange means which is positioned in slot means 70, 71 at the rearsupport posts 62, 63 and is held by protrusions 68, 69. Verticallyoriented partitioning blank means, extending parallel to side walls areattached to the rear wall located partition support. Such dividers canextend either the full height or a portion of the height of theenclosure. Lock tabs and stabilizing legs are located on the rearvertical leg of the partitioning means rather than along a bottom leg asin the shelf supported partition of FIG. 18 but operate in asubstantially identical manner with tabs inserted in the slots andsupports.

Wire basket 46 of FIG. 6 has a top rim 180 which extends around threesides of the basket and which has a length along the respective walls ofthe container module which is only slightly less than the insidedimensions of the enclosure so the basket can be supported in a mannersimilar to shelf means 44. Corner portions of the basket are open asshown in FIG. 6 to enable seating in the slots of the cover supportposts.

UPRIGI-IT SUSPENSION Vertical support means 31 on which container module30 is suspended in cantilever fashion is formed from sheet metal and ishung in an upright position on walls or mobile carriers, or polemounted. Details of this structure and mounting are covered inapplicants copending application entitled Modular Storage, TransferHandling and Retrieval System. However, support 31 is generallyrectangular in cross section and presents a plurality of horizontallyelongated vertically aligned amd spaced hanger slots such as 190 of FIG.8. Openings such as 190 are formed in a vertically elongated planarsurface 191. Along the bottom edge of each opening is a rearwardly benthorizontal ledge 193 terminating at a downwardly bent vertical wall 194.Upright support 31 also has side walls 33 and 34 (FIG. 9) along itslateral edges.

With container module 30 positioned on support 31 as shown in FIGS. 8and 9, hanger bar 84 extends through opening 190 with flange 84 engagingrear vertical wall 194. Confronting faces 90, 91 of stabilizingprojections 88, 89, respectively, are contiguous to the outside surfacesof the respective side walls 33 and 34 when the rear surface ribs 94 and95 are flat against upright surface 191 of the support surface 31.Through the previously described interaction of hanger means 84 andstabilizing elements 88, 89, container module 30 is stably suspended onupright support 31 and held by gravity.

Changes in details of the container module or accessories described forthe container for purposes of explaining the concept of the invention,and/or substitution of materials other than those specificallydisclosed, can be resorted to without departing from the scope of thisinvention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Container module of unitary construction comprising bottom wallmeans,

rear wall means, and

side wall means,

the bottom, rear, and side wall means defining a generally rectilinearconfiguration enclosed with fullopen access across upper and frontportions of the defined enclosure,

internal support posts located contiguous to front and rear corners ofthe defined enclosure, such support posts being vertically oriented tosupport means for subdividing the defined enclosure horizontally,

the bottom, rear, and side wall means each having an external surfaceand an internal surface relative to the defined enclosure,

the bottom wall means including means on its external surface forsupporting the container module on a flat surface with sidewall meanssubstantially vertical,

the rear wall means including interconnecting means on its externalsurface for cantilever suspension of the container module on avertically-oriented support means with sidewall means of the enclosuresubstantially vertical when the defined enclosure is in its uprightposition,

the interconnecting means projecting rearwardly from the externalsurface of the rear wall means, and including elongated hanger means andstabilizing means predeterminedly positioned on the rear wall means withthe elongated hanger means being horizontallyoriented at a locationspaced vertically from the stabilizing means,

such location for the hanger means being spaced upwardly from thestabilizing means when the container module is in its upright position,

the elongated hanger means including a downwardly depending flange meansspaced from the external surface of the rear wall means by a downwardlyfacing load support surface,

the external surfaces of the rear and side wall means the verticallyoriented support posts each include upwardly directed protrusionsdefining slot means between the protrusions and adjacent wall means ofthe enclosure for providing front-to-back and sideto-side stability formeans dividing the enclosure 35 horizontally.

5. The container module of claim 1 in which the external surfaces of therear wall and side wall means include a chamfered surface contiguous toupper peripheral edges of such wall means, and further including covermeans of transparent flexible sheet material including hingedly joinedsubstantially planar portions for covering the fully open accessesacross upper and front portions of the defined enclosures, the covermeans including downwardly depending skirt means for coacting with thechamfered edge means extending around the side wall and rear wall meansof the enclosures. 6. The combination of claim 5 in which the containermodule means includes snap-action lock means located on the downwardlydepending flange means at the front edge of the bottom wall means.

7. The combination of claim 2 in which the shelf means includes meansfor positioning vertically oriented partitioning means to subdivide thedefined enclosure vertically in a direction parallel to the side wallmeans.

8. The combination of claim 7 in which the vertically orientedpartitioning means comprises a substantially planar sheet metal mainbody means,

and

unitary sheet metal tabs projecting in substantially right-angledrelationship with the main body means and contacting the shelf means forholding the vertically oriented partition means in an upright position,and

unitary tab means depending vertically below the horizontal support tabsand located to interfit with elongated apertures defined in the shelfmeans.

1. Container module of unitary construction comprising bottom wallmeans, rear wall means, and side wall means, the bottom, rear, and sidewall means defining a generally rectilinear configuration enclosed withfull-open access across upper and front portions of the definedenclosure, internal support posts located contiguous to front and rearcorners of the defined enclosure, such support posts being verticallyoriented to support means for subdividing the defined enclosurehorizontally, the bottom, rear, and side wall means each having anexternal surface and an internal surface relative to the definedenclosure, the bottom wall means including means on its external surfacefor supporting the container module on a flat surface with sidewallmeans substantially vertical, the rear wall means includinginterconnecting means on its external surface for cantilever suspensionof the container module on a vertically-oriented support means withsidewall means of the enclosure substantially vertical when the definedenclosure is in its upright position, the interconnecting meansprojecting rearwardly from the external surface of the rear wall means,and including elongated hanger means and stabilizing meanspredeterminedly positioned on the rear wall means with the elongatedhanger means being horizontally-oriented at a location spaced verticallyfrom the stabilizing means, such location for the hanger means beingspaced upwardly from the stabilizing means when the container module isin its upright position, the elongated hanger means including adownwardly depending flange means spaced from the external surface ofthe rear wall means by a downwardly facing load support surface, theexternal surfaces of the rear and side wall means defining planes havinga substantially right angled relationship.
 2. The container module ofclaim 1 in combination with shelf means supported on the interiorlylocated support posts.
 3. In combination with the container module ofclaim 1 open mesh wire rack means supported on the internal supportposts.
 4. The container module of claim 1 in which the verticallyoriented support posts each include upwardly directed protrusionsdefining slot means between the protrusions and adjacent wall means ofthe enclosure for providing front-to-back and side-to-side stability formeans dividing the enclosure horizontally.
 5. The container module ofclaim 1 in which the external surfaces of the rear wall and side wallmeans include a chamfered surface contiguous to upper peripheral edgesof such wall means, and further including cover means of transparentflexible sheet material including hingedly joined substantially planarportions for covering the fully open accesses across upper and frontportions of the defined enclosures, the cover means including downwardlydepending skirt means for coacting with the chamfered edge meansextending around the side wall and rear wall means of the enclosures. 6.The combination of claim 5 in which the container module means includessnap-action lock means located on the downwardly depending flange meansat the front edge of the bottom wall means.
 7. The combination of claim2 in which the shelf means includes means for positioning verticallyoriented partitioning means to subdivide the defined enclosurevertically in a direction parallel to the side wall means.
 8. Thecombination of claim 7 in which the vertically oriented partitioningmeans comprises a substantially planar sheet metal main body means, andunitary sheet metal tabs projecting in substantially right-angledrelationship with the main body means and contacting the shelf means forholding the vertically oriented partition means in an upright position,and unitary tab means depending vertically below the horizontal supporttabs and located to interfit with elongated apertures defined in theshelf means.